Tahiti 101: A quick guide to paradise

The dock and entrance to Le Tahaa’s Resort & Spa showcase the magnificent scenery in Tahiti.

Photographed by:External

The temptation of Tahiti is hard to resist.

The sunny shores of this paradise in the South Pacific have been attracting visitors since Captain James Cook set foot here in 1769.

Pristine beaches, friendly locals and an exotic vacation destination are all part of the lure.

But Tahiti’s remote location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean means that some North Americans aren’t as familiar with the country as they are with tropical destinations in other areas such as the Caribbean.

Here are a few tips about Tahiti that will help you make an informed decision, whether you’re planning a visit or considering it for a future holiday.

Count to 118: Officially known as French Polynesia, Tahiti in its entirety consists of five island groups, made up of 118 islands and atolls. Some of these tiny plots of land boast jagged peaks covered with lush vegetation, but others are sandy strips with perfect beaches.

The islands are scattered over four million square kilometres, which means it took explorers several years to map out all the islands.

Don’t call the vanilla “plain”: Chief among Tahiti’s exports is the black pearl, but fish, fruits, flowers and vanilla provide other sources of export revenue.

Tahitian vanilla is sometimes called the “queen of vanilla” because of its high quality. It can take up to three years for a vanilla plant to flower and once the bean develops, it must mature on the vine for another eight months.

You can easily eat like a local: If you want to order what Tahitians eat for dinner, try poisson cru. It’s a national dish, consisting of raw fish and diced veggies, all of which has been soaked in coconut milk and lime juice.

For dessert, a traditional Tahitian choice is poe, a taro-root pudding flavoured with vanilla, banana, papaya or even pumpkin.

Those looking to sample a variety of local dishes, should take in a tamaaraa — a traditional feast featuring chicken, pork and fish cooked in underground ovens.

Know your visiting celebrities: The islands of Tahiti have been the backdrop for several movies and TV shows over the decades. Most recently, The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Bachelorette and Keeping up with the Kardashians have taped in the area.

Know the “APCs” of the language: French is an official language in the country, but Tahitian is also spoken.

In Tahitian, there is no letter “b.” The name of the well-known Bora Bora island is actually Pora Pora (meaning first-born), according to locals. Some early explorers heard the words as Bora Bora, however, and that name stuck for the rest of the world.

Don’t be fooled by “mailboxes”: Repositories that look like mailboxes can be found at many homes; the deliveries to these boxes, however, consist of French bread, not mail.

To pick up mail, residents need to visit a post office.

The hips don’t lie: Dance is an important part of local culture and the otea is the most famous dance of the country, involving rapid hip shaking.

When it comes to sports, the national indulgence is va’a racing, which consists of paddling contests in outrigger canoes.

Your home away from home: Tahiti is the original destination for over-water bungalows, some of which feature glass flooring to facilitate tropical fish-watching.

Sublime temperature is perfect for Canadians

79 is a key number: The average year-round temperature for Tahiti is 79 F and the average water temperature in the winter is 79 F. That’s a perfect 26.1111 C for Canadians.

The legacy of Paul Gauguin: This well-known French post-Impressionist created a series of paintings in Tahiti that are still highly valued today. One of his works has been valued at $39 million.

None of Gauguin’s original paintings remain in French Polynesia, although reproductions are plentiful.

Souvenirs to bring home: Recommended gifts to take home for yourself and others from Tahiti include tiki statues, ukuleles, pandanus baskets and a pareus, a hand-painted fabric worn as a skirt.